These images show people protesting in defence of democracy on the streets of Sao Paulo in Brazil after far-right rioters stormed government buildings in the capital Brasilia.

The images were obtained from architect and urban planner Marco Mills Martin after he shared them on the social media platform Twitter on Tuesday, 10th January, along with the caption (in Portuguese): “More than 70,000 people in defence of Democracy today on Avenida Paulista (and at least three times as many police as on the Esplanada yesterday).”

Marco, who is president of the Rede Sustentabilidade party in the city of Sao Paulo, told Newsflash: “I was one of the activists who organised the ‘Fora Bolsonaro’, an initiative that brought together various organisations and civil society in actions against the former president during his term, calling for his removal.”

He added: “I filmed from above the sound car, on Avenida Paulista, where the speeches were being made to the public.

“We took to the streets to defend Brazilian democracy, in response to the serious terrorist attacks carried out by supporters of President Bolsonaro in Brasilia last Sunday.

“People asked for justice and for everyone involved not only in the terrorist attack but in the planning and financing of the various attacks on democracy perpetrated in recent years to be punished.”

He confirmed that over 70,000 people took part in the protest, adding: “Yes, it was one of the most prominent protests in recent times, with thousands of Brazilians outraged by this outrageous attack on our democracy and calling for justice and the defence of our democracy and its institutions.”

He also said: “There were many more policemen on Avenida Paulista than on the Esplanada during Sunday’s attacks. But the act was peaceful and everything went well.”

Over 1,500 people have been arrested after the Brasilia riots.